Petition aims to stop Harrogate animal testing firm felling trees

A petition has been launched to stop an animal testing company from felling two semi-mature trees in Harrogate.

American healthcare firm Labcorp Drug Development, which was previously known as Covance and has a site on Otley Road, conducts tests on animals, including dogs and mice.

It is frequently the subject of animal rights activists’ protests.

The company has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to fell trees at its Harrogate site.

The application, submitted by agent Arbotech on behalf of the company, says both trees — a Swedish whitebeam and a grey alder — are protected by tree preservation orders, which requires applicants to provide a reason for felling to take place.

A tree report carried out by Boroughbridge environmental consultants Barnes Associates on behalf of Labcorp says the grey alder is “dead” and poses a “moderate risk”. The arboriculturists recommended the tree is felled.

It adds the Swedish whitebeam poses a “slight” risk, but also recommends the tree should be removed.

However, one Harrogate resident is taking action against the application.

Shelagh Dixon, who set up the petition yesterday, told the Stray Ferret she wants to alert people to Labcorp’s plans, as well as its animal testing work in general. She said:

“Labcorp is now hacking down protected trees. The destruction of these trees disrupts local eco-systems and contributes to climate change.

“We cannot stand by while this happens. We need your help. It’s time we hold Labcorp accountable for their actions.”

The proposed visual of the site extension, as submitted by Labcorp at the time.

Ms Dixon also said she fears the tree-felling could lead to plans to expand the drug development site, which she added would mean “more harm would ensue”.

Her concerns follows the former Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to approve plans to refurbish and expand the Otley Road site in February 2022.

Labcorp purchased six vacant buildings in December 2020 and planned to create a new entrance, a one-way system to access the car park and reconfigure the ground and first floors.

However, it is not known whether work has since started on the site.

The Stray Ferret approached Labcorp about the petition and the tree-felling plans, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Ms Dixon’s petition has already received more than 500 signatures. She hopes it will achieve at least 1,000.

North Yorkshire Council will decide on the application at a later date.

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Ex-James Bond star Pierce Brosnan spotted in Harrogate bar

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was spotted in a Harrogate bar last night.

The Irish actor, who was the fifth person to play 007, was seen having a drink at The Fat Badger on Cold Bath Road last night.

The Stray Ferret was sent a photo of Mr Brosnan enjoying a pint — rather than a martini — at the bar, which is part of The White Hart Hotel.

The 70-year-old played James Bond four times, including in Die Another Day and GoldenEye.

He has also featured in blockbusters such as the Mamma Mia! franchise, Survivor, Laws of Attraction and Mrs Doubtfire.

During his career, he has received two Golden Globe nominations for his performances in The Matador and Nancy Astor, as well as winning the outstanding European achievement in world cinema award at the European Film Awards in 2016.

Mr Brosnan even won a Razzie Award for worst supporting actor for his role in Mamma Mia!.

Pic: Nicholas PJ Snape

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He is not the first familiar face to be spotted in the Harrogate district, which became something of a celebrity hotspot last year.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, who rose to fame in Titanic, visited the Crown Hotel at Middlesmoor last May.

Leathal Weapon star Danny Glover dined at Efes Bar and Grill in the summer, while world-famous DJ Calvin Harris was spotted at Wetherby Services in August.

Meanwhile, TV personality and writer Gyles Brandreth bemoaned his poor night’s sleep at a Harrogate hotel following his one-man show at the Royal Hall, and Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp praised Bettys’ cake as the “nectar of paradise”.

And Morrissey, enigmatic former frontman of The Smiths, was spotted having a quiet pint at The Harrogate Arms.

Send us your pictures and selfies if you bump into any famous people in the district. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Man, 33, charged with robbery at Harrogate jeweller

A 33-year-old man has been charged with robbery at a Harrogate jewellers last week.

North Yorkshire Police today said the man will appear at York Magistrates Court this morning (April 16) after being arrested yesterday afternoon.

The constabulary said the man was from Leeds but did not name him.

Police issued a CCTV appeal about the suspected theft of two “high value watches” from Ogden’s on James Street last Wednesday (April 10).

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‘A national treasure’: reaction to Rachel Daly’s England retirement

Famous faces from football and beyond have paid tribute to Rachel Daly’s England career following this week’s news of her retirement.

Harrogate-born Daly announced her decision on Wednesday, just a day after the Lionesses 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.

The Aston Villa forward, 32, featured in some of England’s most pivotal matches during her eight-year international career, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup final and as a Euro 2022 winner.

News of her departure therefore sparked a lot of tributes.

England and Arsenal footballer Beth Mead praised Daly on social media:

“So proud of you, no words to describe how gutted I am but what an international career it’s been. So happy to have been a part of it. Love you Rachy.”

England captain and Chelsea defender, Millie Bright, said she was the “proudest best friend” of all Daly has achieved in her international career, adding:

“I don’t have many words right now. I’ve shed a lot of tears knowing this was coming.

“You’ve given your heart and soul to your country over and over again. I love you.”

Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who shared the pitch with Daly at last year’s World Cup, called her a “national treasure”, while Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood said she is “one of the best, on and off the pitch”.

(L) Mary Earps’ Instagram post and praise from the Prince of Wales. (R)

Former England men’s player Ian Wright said Daly had an “unbelievable” international career, and reminded her she is a “European champion”.

Even the Prince of Wales, an Aston Villa fan, praised Daly’s England career. On the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X account, formerly Twitter, the royal wrote:

“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with Lionesses. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W.”

Daly began her football career at Killinghall Nomads Football Club.

She has since gone on to play for Leeds United, Lincoln Ladies and even Houston Dash in the USA before she returned to England to play for Aston Villa in 2022.

She amassed 84 senior caps throughout her England career and scored 16 goals.

Daly will continue her club football career at Aston Villa.

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Disability charity unveils assisted living flats in Harrogate

A disability charity has opened its new assisted living development in Harrogate.

Disability Action Yorkshire, which offers support and residential care to people with a range of disabilities, unveiled the St Roberts Grove development on Wednesday, April 10.

The building, which is also owned by Highstone Housing Association, aims to provide disabled people with a space to live independently.

The development consists of 35 accessible flats, 23 of which are now open, which all have their own kitchen, living area, bedroom and wet room.

Support staff will also be on site 24-hours-a-day to provide people with personal care and support when required.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones, who cut the ribbon alongside Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thomson, said the development is “what the future of care looks like”.

The charity said residents of its current care facility, 34 Claro Road, would move into the new flats on Monday, April 14.

The existing care home, which is located next door to St Robert’s Grove, is scheduled for demolition later this year. This will allow for the final stage of development to begin, the charity said, adding it expects the project to be complete by spring 2026.

The charity’s chief executive, Jackie Snape, said:

“The hardest task was finding land, and after a number of false starts we finally realised that our own land on which our current care home stands, along with a small piece of land owned by the council was the solution.

“We are so excited that, finally, our ambition to be part of providing accessible housing is coming to fruition. Being a disabled person doesn’t mean that you have to live in a care home with a large number of people you haven’t chosen to live with; the right to a home of your own is one that should be extended to everyone.”

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Harrogate business owner through to The Apprentice final

The owner of a Harrogate business has made it to the final of the BBC’s The Apprentice.

Rachel Woolford, owner of North Studio on Cold Bath Road, is just one of two remaining contestants competing for Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

The two North Studio sites, in Harrogate and Leeds, currently offer small group fitness classes, including running, reformer pilates, boxing and HIIT workouts.

Over the 11-week series, the 28-year-old has sold and run a tour in Budapest, created a vegan alternative to cheese and even flogged paddling pools on a TV shopping channel.

Now, the Leeds woman has one final chance at convincing the British billionaire she is worthy of the prize money.

But her success has not come without obstacles.

In last night’s episode, the five remaining candidates were interviewed — and their business plans scrutinised — by business tycoons.

Rachel’s plan is to open three more North Studio sites in the north of England.

But Claude Littner, long-term business associate of Lord Sugar, crunched Rachel’s numbers — and not in the way she had hoped.

After failing to turn up with her company’s accounts, Mr Littner told Rachel she had made a “very serious mistake” before the interview had even started.

She told Mr Littner she spent more than £250,000 on both North Studio gyms, funded partly through a bank loan, plus monthly finances spent on equipment. But without the figures in front of him, he responded:

“All I can see is losses, loans. It’s impossible to get any idea.”

Rachel Woolford preparing for her interview. Pic: BBC Pictures.

Before Rachel thought the interviews could get much worse, they did.

Publishing pioneer Mike Soutar bought both website domains Rachel had anticipated on purchasing for her new gyms.

Her business plan included opening a site in Newcastle – or more specifically, Jesmond.

However, Mr Soutar beat Rachel to buying her desired website domain for Newcastle (www.northstudionewcastle.co.uk), as well as the Jesmond domain (www.northstudiojesmond.co.uk) – pointing out two flaws in her business plan.

The interview did, however, resolve in Rachel purchasing both domains from Mr Soutar for £34 plus VAT.

Mike Suter. Pic: BBC Pictures.

But despite the rocky interviews, Rachel was praised for her passion about her business.

Mr Soutar told Lord Sugar there may be financial “difficulties” when scaling her business, but added if it can be done right “she is definitely the person to do it”.

Lord Sugar even created a new tagline for Rachel: “You want people to get ripped in Ripon”.

When asked to convince Lord Sugar why she should be his business partner, Rachel said:

“In the first year, I turned over £85,000. However, for six months of that year, we were closed because of the pandemic.

“Now I’ve turned it into a profitable business, and I’ve got a model there that we can copy to other cities, to other locations, which I believe is successful.

“With your mentorship, I will put my all into this, as I already do. I’m willing to learn and I will continue to put my entire life into it.”

Rachel was the first contestant through to the grand final – and is now just one task away from £250,000.

It will be a battle between fitness and food as she faces owner of family-run pie business, Phil Turner, in next week’s final.

The Apprentice finalists Rachel Woolford and Phil Turner. Pic: BBC Pictures.

The final of The Apprentice will air on Thursday, April 18, at 9pm on BBC One.

You can read our interview with Rachel Woolford here.

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Man arrested after car crash and brawl in Harrogate

A man has been arrested following a car crash and suspected assault in Harrogate last night.

North Yorkshire Police today said two vehicles collided on Otley Road at the junction with Wharfedale Place at around 6pm.

According to a force statement, the two men then got into an “altercation at the scene” and both sustained injuries. The statement added:

“The man in his 30s was taken to hospital for treatment in relation to chest injuries. His injuries are believed not to be life-threatening.

“A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and was also taken to hospital for facial injuries.”

Police said an investigation has now been launched.

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Community group agrees price to buy Grewelthorpe pub

Campaigners have taken a major step towards buying a pub between Masham and Ripon.

Friends of the Crown, a not-for-profit group, is working towards buying the Crown Inn at Grewelthorpe and converting it to a community pub.

The group was formed following the closure of the Crown Inn last year.

The pub is owned by Admiral Taverns, which owns 1,600 UK pubs. However, the company accepted the campaigners’ offer on Monday to buy the pub subject to funding.

The group now aims to raise a minimum of £450,000 to fund the purchase and refurbishment.

It has applied for a grant of up to £250,000 from the government’s community ownership fund, which is a four-year scheme to support groups in purchasing community assets at risk of being lost.

In addition, group chair Martin Glynn told the Stray Ferret it would then require a further £200,000 of community donations.

He said the group conducted a survey to find out how many people supported the initiative shortly after the pub’s closure.

It revealed a total of 96% of the 120 responses supported the idea of a community pub, and the group has since received £177,000 of pledges from the local community, Mr Glynn added.

He added:

“The fund opened this time around with a much shorter window than anybody anticipated so it was a huge amount of work to get our bid ready, but we managed it — with an hour to go!

“I’d just like to say a very big thank you to everybody who helped – it really was a team effort. We just want our pub back in Grewelthorpe, and this week has seen us make big strides to achieving that.”

Friends of the Crown hopes the new pub will “service community needs” and provide a “welcoming destination for locals and visitors”.

The campaigners say they want to provide good food and drink, rather than just a “drinkers den”, and provide work and training opportunities for local people.

The group said it expects to hear back about the funding application in a few months’ time, adding it will then fundraise for the remainder of the money in the months following.

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Harrogate woman admits having custody of dog whilst banned

A Harrogate woman has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a dog whilst disqualified.

Holly Jones, of St John’s Crescent, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

According to court documents, the 30-year-old was handed a court order by magistrates in 2019, which banned her from having custody of a dog.

However, she was found to possess one on March 15 this year.

Jones pleaded guilty to the offence.

She was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge as a result.

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Details of proposed Harrogate children’s home revealed

Further details about plans to convert a Harrogate house into a children’s home have been revealed.

It comes after Jolyon McKay tabled a change of use application to North Yorkshire Council last month.

It outlined plans to turn Oak Back, a house on Ashgarth Court near Ashville College, into C2 classified housing – which refers to residential accommodation for people in need of care.

The Stray Ferret reported on the plans at the time of submission, which generated some concern among social media followers.

However, an email from the applicant to the case officer was yesterday posted to the planning portal, which paints a clearer picture of what the children’s home would involve if approved.

The applicant said he wanted the home to be a “nurturing environment” for children aged 11 to 18.

The letter added the staff already involved have a “wealth of expertise to ensure the highest standard of care”, adding:

“We have a healthcare recruitment professional with over three decades of experience across various specialties… with a proven track record of successfully managing care agencies covering a wide spectrum of needs…she is committed to delivering exceptional support.”

The document said a retired social worker with “over 40 years of dedicated service in children and young people’s social work” would also be employed, as well as a registered nurse with “extensive experience in caring for young people with complex needs, as well as mental health concerns”.

Mr McKay also said the home aimed to “collaborate closely with local authorities and neighbouring councils” and focus on recruiting local care staff.

The children’s home would be Ofsted registered, the document said, adding it would work to comply with “stringent regulations”. It added:

“We will meticulously craft policies covering various scenarios, including measures for missing children, such as implementing a comprehensive missing persons grab pack.”

The applicant says the overarching goal was to create a “family-style placement home that fosters a sense of belonging and security for the children” by “steering away” from a clinical environment.

Mr McKay said the home’s commitment to safety and supervision was “unwavering”. There would always be a minimum of one staff member present to ensure the wellbeing of the children and maintain a “peaceful environment that respects the neighbourhood”, he added.

In a separate covering letter submitted with the proposal, the applicant said the home would “remain looking and feeling as if it were an average home”.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the application at a later date.

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